Flying high

SANGAM PRASAIN
NOV 05 -
With the number of tourist arrivals increasing, domestic airline companies are doing brisk business this autumn. Almost all the domestic airlines have increased their flight movement in the major tourist destinations. Since October, there has been a surge in flight movement on the Lukla, Pokhara, Jomsom and Bharatpur sectors. Foreign tourists make up the major portion of the passengers during this season. According to recent statistics, Nepal recorded more than 62,000 arrivals in October, or more than 2,000 arrivals daily.

According to domestic air operators, flight movement on the Kathmandu-Lukla sector has swelled by 20 percent compared to the autumn season last year. Domestic airlines report making over 80 roundtrips daily between Kathmandu and Lukla, the gateway to Everest.

On Friday, Tara Air made 22 flights, Agni Air 15 flights and Sita Air four flights. According to the carriers, foreign tourists make up 90 percent of the passengers on the Lukla sector. “Our business has grown by 20 percent on the Lukla sector compared to autumn last year,” said Sailesh Shrestha, marketing chief of Agni Air. Autumn is one of the main seasons for business for airlines operating services on the Kathmandu-Lukla sector. Tara Air, Agni Air and Sita Air fly Twin Otter aircraft on their Lukla operations.

In terms of passenger movement, more than 600 tourists returning from Lukla to Kathmandu daily as the autumn season is coming to a close. Autumn is a popular trekking season. More than 30 percent of the tourists visiting Nepal go trekking in the Everest and Annapurna regions. Some of the most trodden trekking routes in the Everest region are Kalapatthar, Gokyo Lake, Everest Base Camp and Syangboche. Trekking in Nepal is an all season activity. However, the most popular seasons are spring (February-May) and autumn (September-November).

Other major tourist destinations like Pokhara, Jomsom and Bharatpur are also seeing greater flight movement these days. These three destinations attract a sizeable number of tourists during autumn.

The air operators say that flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara, Jomsom and Bharatpur have increased by 10-15 percent compared to the last autumn season, airline operators said.

Buddha Air has increased its frequency on the Pokhara sector to 10-12 flights daily from the usual five-six flights with the peak tourist season in full swing. “Flight movement on the Pokhara route has increased by 10-12 percent this autumn,” said Rupesh Joshi, marketing manager of Buddha Air. Agni Air and Guna Airlines operate three-four flights daily.

Pokhara attracts around 40 percent of the total number of tourists visiting Nepal. More than 70 percent of the tourists visiting Pokhara go trekking to Annapurna Base Camp and other trekking destinations. Last year, 203,527 tourists had visited Pokhara.

Travel traders said that they were encouraged that the country did not see any kinds of disturbances during the last seven months. Strikes, bandas and transport shutdowns have taken a heavy toll on tourism in previous years.

Hotels are reporting full bookings with the growth in tourist arrivals this year.

Tourism entrepreneurs said that business during the current tourist season was the highest in the year.